Multiple unit closure device



March 17, 1959 H. GRABOVE I MULTIPLE UNIT CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Nov. 18,1957 4 Sheets-Sheet l March 17, 1959 H. GRABOVE 2,877,841

MULTIPLE UNIT CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 2Fie.4.-.

INVENTOR. HERMAN GRABOVE,

ATTORNEY March 17, 1959 H GRABOVE 2,877,841

MULTIPLE UNIT CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1957 4 SheetsrSheet 5INVENTOR. HERMAN GRnaovs fig v firFORMEY March 17, 1959 H. GRABOVE2,877,841

' MULTIPLE UNIT CLOSURE DEVICE Filed Nov. 18, 1957 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR. HERMAN GRAaovE JTTORNEY United States Patent MULTIPLE UNITCLOSURE DEVICE Herman Grabove, Miami Beach, Fla. Application November18, 1957, Serial No. 697,276

6 Claims. (Cl. 160--91) This invention relates to closure devices andhas particular reference to a multiple window unit having controlledslidable panels upon one side and horizontally pivoted louvres upon theopposite side and with an insect screen disposed between the panels andthe louvres.

An object of the invention is to provide a rigid open frame havingslidable vents at one side, a plurality of louvre slats upon theopposite sides and an insect screen that spans the opening of the frameintermediate the sliding panels and the louvres and with a singleoperator means whereby the panels and the louvres may be individuallycontrolled to and from an open position.

Window devices heretofore employed comprise either the double-hungwindows, horizontally sliding windows or a plurality of simultaneouslyopening and closing louvres, each constituting a closure for a frameopening and it is now contemplated that the several units may beembodied within a single frame for controlling ventilation and light toany desirable degree and it is also contemplated that a singlemechanical operator shall be employed to actuate either of the slidingpanels or the louvres and whereby a single panel may be actuated to apredetermined open position without effecting the other panel or, thepanels may be shifted to a full overlapping position within the limitsof the frame after which, the louvres may be actuated to any degree ofopening for controlling the passage of air or light and with anintermediate insect screen being mounted within a frame and whereby toprevent the passage of insects to a building when either or both of thepanels and the louvres are in open position.

I The invention further embodies a preferably extruded metallic framethat is provided with guide channels for the sliding movement of eithera double-hung window or a horizontally sliding window and with the groupof louvre devices being horizontally pivoted within the frame preferablyupon the outer side that are movable to and from a closed position aswill be determined in accordance with the control of air flow or theentry of light. The louvres, not only serve to function as light and aircontrol means, but also functions as a protective means for the usuallyglass paneled inner window devices, such being highly desirable in thepresence of exceptionally high winds and for this purpose the louvresmay be formed of wood, metal or plastic having a high degree ofresistance to breakage under the impact of flying objects such as areexperienced in exceptional storm conditions.

Novel features of construction and operation of the device will be moreclearly apparent during the course of the following description,reference being had to the accompanying drawings wherein has beenillustrated the preferred forms of the device and wherein likecharacters of reference are employed to denote like parts throughout theseveral figures.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is an inner side elevation of a window conStructcd in accordance with the invention, I 1

Figure 2 is an outer side elevation thereof, Figure 3 is an endelevation of the device,

Figure 4 is an enlarged substantially vertical section,

taken on line 4--4 of Figure 2,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken substantially onl line 55 ofFigure 1,

Figure 6 is an inner side elevation of a modified form of the device,Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 7-7 ofFigure 6,

Figure 8 is a greatly enlarged horizontal section, taken substantiallyon line 8-8 of Figure 6, and

Figure 9 is a view partly in section and partly in elevationillustrating actuating mechanism for the first form of the invention andtaken substantially on line 9-9 of Figure 1, parts being omitted forsake of clearance.

Referring specifically to the drawings and particularly to Figures 1, 2,3, 4, 5 and 9, the numeral 5 designates a preferably metallic extrudedframe embodying vertical parallel jamb members 6 that are connected by aheader 7 and a sill 8. While the frame is preferably extruded from lightweight material, such as aluminum, it will of coursebe understood thatthe frame may be fabricated from wood or other desirable materials. Eachof the jamb members 6 adjacent their inner sides are provided with guidechannels 9 and 10, separated by a parting strip 11. The channel 9 isclosed upon its outer side by a facia plate 12. The inner channel 10 atits inner side is,

defined by an enlargement 13, having an inwardly projecting flangeextension 14, forming a seat 15.

The header and sill 7 and 8 are shaped substantially;

identical to the jamb member 6 to constitute the upper and lowerchannels 9a, 10a, 9b and 10b, and with the several channels beingidentical throughout the inner cir-,

cumference of the frame. The header and sill 7 and 8 also correspond inshape with respect to the enlargement 13 and the flange 14 to form acontinuation of the seat 15 throughout the circumference of the frame.Detach:

ably supported upon the seat 15, is a frame 16 having a section ofinsect screening 17 attached thereto. The screen frame 16 and the screen17 are of conventional construction and require no detailed illustrationor description.

Vertically slidable within the channels 9 and 10 are'a pair of panels 18and 19, here illustrated as being con-' vcntional double-hung windowdevices that embodies the usual frames 20 and 21, wherein is mountedpreferably transparent glass sheets 22 and 23. The panels 18 and.

19 have their meeting rails beveled in a customary man'- ner and wherebythe windows are substantially sealed.

against the passage of air when in the fully closed position.

tomary in the well known double-hung windows. Means are provided formechanically actuating the panels and 19 as will be hereinafterdescribed.

Each of the jamb members 6 adjacent their forward" of the clips areprovided with preferably integral crank arms 30 that have pivotalconnection at 31 to a common operator bar 32 at each side of the window.Spanning; the width of the frame and having pivotal connection Thepanels 18 and 19 are shiftable in a vertical plane individually to andfrom overlapping position, either with the panel 18 in an upper positionor with the. panel 19 in a lower position or to dispose the panels in apartially shifted relation in respect to each other so as to provideupper and lower openings, such being cus within'the jambs 6, is a shaft33, carrying at its opposite extremities, cranks 34. The cranks 34 arepivotally connected at 35 to links 36 and with the links being pivotallyconnected at the opposite ends to the operator bars '32, as at 37. Itwill thus be apparent, that when the shaft 33 is rotated, the severalslats will be shifted to and from an overlapping relation with respectto each other.

and with the upper and lower slat having weathering contact with theflanges 25 and 26 when in the fully closed and overlapping position. Theslats 28 may beformed of wood, metal, plastic or any other desirablematerial and may function as an air control means and also as a lightcontrol means. It will be seen, that the screen 16 is disposed betweenthe panels 18 and 19 and the shutters 28 and in a position where thepanels 22 and 23 may be cleaned with a minimum of effort and without thenecessity of removing the screen. Heretofore, the screen has beenmounted upon the inner face of the frame and has required its removalbefore the user may clean the windows.

It is contemplated that a single operator shall be employed to actuateeither one of the panels 18 and 19 separately or to operate the severalclosure slats and such means, see particularly Figure 9 embodies gearhousings 38, 39 and 40. The housings 38 and 39 may be integrally formedand serve to house pinions 41 and 42. The pinion 41 extends through onejamb member 6 to engage a rack bar 43, that is seated within a groove 44formed within the vertical edge of the panel 18. The pinion '42 likewiseextends through a jamb 6 and engages a rack 45 that is seated within avertical groove 46 formed within the vertical edge of the panel 19. Asuitable operator shaft 47 extends through the pinions 41 and 42 and theshaft is provided at spaced apart points with squared portions 48 thatalternately engage corresponding axial apertures formed within thepinions 41 and 42 and whereby to impart a driving action to the pinionsindividual- 1y. The shaft 47 at its inner end is provided with asuitable operating crank 49 and whereby the operator may select andcontrol the operation of either of the panels 18 and 19. The shaft 47 isextended beyond the pinion 42 to engage a worm 50. The shaft 47 likewiseengages the worm 50 in a manner similar to that already described withrespect to the pinions 41 and 42. The worm 50 engages a worm wheel 51that receives the preferably hexagonal end portion 52 of the cross-shaft33. It will be apparent that when the operator shoves the shaft 47inwardly, he may first engage the worm 50 for actuating the severalslats 28 to and from a closed position. Should be desire to actuate thepanel 19 to a lowered position, the shaft 47 is shoved inwardly so thatits squared portion disengages the worm 50 and a squared portion 48'engages the pinion 42, in which position the shaft may be rotated freeof driving connection with the pinion 41 and the worm 50, causing thepanel 19 to be lowered or raised as the case may be. Should the operator wish to raise the lower panel 18, the shaft 47 is forced inwardly adistance that causes the squared portion 48 to engage the pinion 41,while the square portion 48' passes beyond the pinion 42, and thesquared portion 48a projects beyond the housing 40, thus disconnectingthe shaft from the pinion 42 and the worm 50 and creating a drive forthe pinion 41 and, through the medium of the crank 49 the panel 18 maybe raised or lowered as the case may be. It should be understood ofcourse that other forms of operators may be employed for the individualoperation of each of the panels 18 and 19 or the closure slats 28 but,it has been found desirable to have a single operator capable ofcontrolling each of the units. It may be found desirable that thepanelsf18 and 19 be provided with any conventional balance mechanismwhereby to hold them in an adjusted position when either of the pinions41 and 42 are disengaged from the shaft 47. Also, should a conventionalgeared operator be employed only for the slats 28, the window panels 18and 19 may be actuated manually in a customary manner. It is believed,that the operation of this form of the invention will be entirelyapparent, since the device embodies a conventional double-hung window, aplurality of closure slats and a conventional insect screen disposedtherebetween and with the entire assembly being contained within asingle frame and capable of functioning in a novel manner heretoforerequiring separate closure elements and separate frames. The deviceprovides a very desirable arrangement of window structure having thebenefits of an air and light control shutter, with the insect screenbeing supported in a novel manner making it possible to have access tothe double-hung window at all times.

Referring now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, there has been provided an openframe that embodies jambs 53, a header 54 and a sill 55. The jambs, theheader and the sill are preferably extruded from aluminum and areconnected together in any conventional manner. The jambs 53 are providedwith spaced apart grooves 56 that have mating engagement with horizontalgrooves 57 formed in the header and the sill. The grooves 57 areseparated by parting ribs 58 and a forward flange 59 carried by the faceof the frame, thus forming inner circumferential grooves entirely aroundthe forward portion of the frame. Slidable in a horizontal manner withinthe grooves 57, are a pair of window panels 60 and 61. The panels haveoverlapping engagement at the central portion of the window and areindividually slidable to and from a closure forming position. Each ofthe lower frame members 6'0 and 61 are grooved at 62 for the receptionof rack bars 63. The rack bars extend for the full length of the panels60 and 61. The means for shifting the panels 60 and 61 along the grooves57, comprises pinions 64 and 65, that are rotatable in housing 66 and67. The pinions 64 and 65 project upwardly through openings in the sill55, and have engagement with the racks 63. The pinions 64 and 65 areapertured axially for the sliding reception of an operator shaft 68. Theshaft 68 is provided with squared portions 69 and 70 that are adapted toengage squared openings of the pinions 64 and 65 and whereby the pinionsmay be actuated individually by shoving the shaft 68 forwardly to engageeither the squared portion 70 or the squared portion 69 into itsrespective pinion 64 and 65. Thus, either one of the window panels or 61can be shifted to and from closed position with a minimum of effort.

Also mounted within the forward part of the frame, is a slatted closuredevice illustrated as a whole by the numeral 71. The closure device 71is similar in all respects to the slats 28 in the first form of theinvention and embodies the end clips 72 that are pivotally supportedupon the ribs 73 of the jamb members 53. Operator bars 74 and crankmeans 75, carried by a hexagonal shaft 76, serve to shift the closuredevice 71 to and from a closed position for controlling both light andair to the panels 60 and 61. The means for rotating the shaft 76comprises a conventional geared operator 77.

The geared operator 77 is engaged by the forward and preferably squaredend of the shaft 68, similar to the first form of the invention and asillustrated in Figure 9. The connection of the shaft 68 with the gearedoperator 77 is similar in all respects to that previously described. Inthis form of the invention, the shaft 68 passes through the forwardcentral portion of the sill member 59, while the operator mechanism ofthe first form of the invention was located substantially midway of theheight of the window and at one side. It will thus be apparent, that theoperator mechanism embodying the shaft 68 is conveniently located andcarries a winding handle 78 through the medium of which the shaft may beshoved inwardly or outwardly to engage the respective pinions 64 and orthe geared operator 77. It will thus be apparent, that the window can beeasily controlled by a single operator to shift either of the panels 60and 61 or to shift the slatted closure device 71 and thus control to afine degree the passage of air and light through the frame. The loweredges of the panel 60 and 61 may be provided with any desirableantifriction means, should this be necessary, but in metallic windowstructures, it is believed that the friction between the panels 60 and61 and the bottoms of the grooves 57 will be negligible. As in the firstform of the invention, the frame has been extruded to form an inwardlydirected seat 79 for the reception of a frame 80 that carries an insectscreening of conventional construction.

It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the preciseconstruction shown, but that changes are contemplated as readily fallwithin the spirit of the invention as shall be determined by the scopeof the sub joined claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A window device of the character described that comprises an openrigid frame for mounting engagement in a wall opening, the window framesupporting first and second closure devices, the first closure devicebeing a pair of glazed sliding panels that are shiftable in the frame toand from an overlapping position and to and from a position to fullyclose the opening of the frame, the second closure device being aplurality of horizontally pivoted slats that are shiftable to and froman overlapping relation to each other and to and from a full closure forthe opening of the frame, the first and second closure devices beingoperable in the frame in spaced apart relation, means for actuating theclosure devices independently of each other and from a single operatordevice and, an insect screen disposed in spanning relation to the frameand between and parallel to the closure devices.

2. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes jambs,a header and a sill, the jambs, header and sill being provided withguide channels for the sliding reception of the glazed panels, one edgeof each of the panels having a toothed rack, the said actuating meansincluding pinions that have meshing engagement with the racks, anoperating shaft for selectively driving the pinions and whereby thepanels may be separately controlled.

3. The structure according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes jambs,a header and a sill, the jambs, header and sill being jointly providedwith mating vertical and horizontal guide channels, the first closuredevice comprising a pair of panels having transparent sheets of glasstherein and whereby to constitute doublehung windows, the panels beingvertically shiftable in the channels in overlapping relation, rack meanscarried by the corresponding ends of the panels and gear means carriedby the frame that is engageable with the racks, the said gear meansbeing controllable to actuate either of the panels individually in theirsliding action, the second closure device comprising a plurality ofslats that are connected together to move in unison and means associatedwith the gear means for actuating the slats in their pivotal movementindependently of the panels.

4. A window device of the character described that comprises a rigidopen metallic frame including jambs, a header and a sill, the jambs, theheader and the sill being extruded to form circumferential guidechannels, a pair of glazed window devices slidable in the channels in ahorizontal plane in overlapping relation, the lower edge of each of thewindow devices being provided with rack bars, means for shifting thewindow devices in a horizontal path to and from an overlapping relationto each other that comprises a geared operator having an operatingshaft, pinions carried upon the shaft and that engage the rack bars,means upon the shaft for alternately engaging and driving each of thepinions and whereby to shift each of the window devices independently ofthe other, a louvred closure device disposed within the frame in spacedrelation to the window devices, the louvred closure device including aplurality of horizontally pivoted slats that are shiftable to and froman overlapping relation to each other, a common operator bar for all ofthe slats, crank means engageable with the operator bar and whereby tomove the operator bar and the slats in their pivotal movement and meansoperable by the shaft for controlling the movement of the cranksindependently of the pinions and the window devices.

5. The structure according to claim 4 wherein the cranks for the louvreddevices are carried by a rock shaft that spans the frame in a horizontalmanner, the rock shaft being connected intermediate its length with ageared operator and with the geared operator being alternatelyactuatable by the said shaft and an insect screen removably disposedwithin the frame between the window devices and the louvres.

6. A window device of the character described that includes a rigid openframe having jambs, a header and a sill, the jambs, header and sillbeing extruded to form guide channels throughout the inner periphery ofthe frame adjacent its inner side, first and second closure devicesdisposed in the frame in movable relation, the first closure devicecomprising a pair of shiftable window frames having glass panelstherein, the window frames being shiftable in overlapping relation, gearracks carried by the corresponding edge of each window frame of thefirst closure device, the second closure device comprising a pluralityof horizontally pivoted louvres and with the louvres jointly forming acomplete closure for the forward side of the open frame, the louvresbeing pivotally supported upon the jambs to swing in a vertical plane toand from an overlapping position, a common operator bar connected to theopposite ends of the louvres and whereby to simultaneously control theirmovement, a rock shaft journalled in the jambs at its opposite ends,crank arms carried by the rock-shaft, links connecting the cranks withthe operator bars, a geared operator for driving the rock-shaft, meansfor actuating the window frames of the first closure device thatcomprises a pair of spaced apart pinions, a drive shaft slidable throughthe pinions axially, a crank for rotating and sliding the shaft, meansformed upon the shaft for alternate clutched engagement with the pinionsand whereby to individually control the movement of the window frames,the shaft being extended forwardly to engage and drive the gearedoperator, the said shaft adapted to have a clutched engagement with thegeared operator independently of the clutched engagement with thepinions and whereby to independently control the movement of thelouvres, the said pinions having constant meshing engagement with theracks, housings for the rotative support of the pinions that is fixedlyconnected to the open frame and an insect screen disposed within theframe in spaced relation to the window frames and the louvres.

References Cited in the file of this patent

